Keith 0 v Brora Rangers 5

MAROONS CAUGHT BY HURRICANE BRORA!

Well, the weather forecast on Friday night predicted it would be mild around Keith on Saturday, but jings, at Kynoch Park the Maroons were well and truly hit by Hurricane Brora! The Highland League Cup is well documented as being Keith’s favourite tournament, being record Ten Times Winners, but the current Cup Holders swept them aside with a blistering five goal first half salvo.

The Maroons rang the changes big time with the starting line-up showing eight different names from the previous week, in a bid to freshen things up and give some squad members the chance to stake a claim for a regular place in the first eleven.

Pre-match a minute’s silence was observed in honour of those who so bravely gave their lives in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.

Craig’s Commandos had won up at Dudgeon Park back in August, but boy, “Sid” Mackay’s troops were intent on starting on the front foot this time, and staying on it. It was no surprise when they edged ahead in the 8th minute, following a Tony Dingwall corner from the right hand side, experienced defender Michael Finnis having the simple task of heading home unchallenged from 8 yards.

Three minutes later there was a feeling in the crisp November Keith air when Andrew MacLeod nabbed the first of a subsequent hat-trick, making space for himself before rifling a low 10 yarder into the net. On the quarter hour mark it really was game over when a Tom Kelly shot was deflected into the path of MacLeod, and he promptly sent a rasping 20 yarder into the roof of the net.

It was well and truly tatties ower the side for the homesters when yet another corner wasn’t properly defended in the 27th minute, and the experienced Shane Sutherland said “Thank you very much” before sending a downward header home from six yards. The Cattachs were so much in control it took the Maroons until the 39th minute to force a futile corner. A couple of minutes later the visitors made it a nap hand when a Dingwall cannoned back off the post, and the gleeful MacLeod pounced to head home the loose ball for his first ever senior hat-trick. Thankfully he was replaced at half-time!

Keith made much more of a fist of it in the second half, with key substitutions stiffening up the challenge, although in truth perhaps Brora also took their foot off the pedal a mite with their advance into the next round done and dusted early in the first half.

KEITH – Reid, Craib, Moroney, Milne, Spink, Wilson, Duncan, C Robertson (Cooper 54), McKeown (Lynch 74), Tough (Park 64), Ironside (Alberts 64). Subs unused – Barron, Brownie, Killoh.

Referee – Mr H Bruce

Saturday 9th November 2024, KO 3pm
Report by Charlie Simpson